Paraffins

Definition

Paraffins, commonly known as alkanes, are saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds between carbon atoms. They follow the general formula CnH2n+2, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

Related terms

Methane:

The simplest alkane with one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

Saturated Hydrocarbon: A hydrocarbon in which all the bonds between carbon atoms are single bonds; alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons.

Homologous Series:

A series of compounds with the same functional group and similar chemical properties in which each member differs from the next by a constant unit (CH2 for alkanes)